Christian churches often change their decorations throughout the year, using banners and other decorations in specific colors for specific occasions. Each color is associated with a specific time of the year or serves as a symbol for the faith.

Purple and Blue

Purple is a color that represents mourning in the Christian church, so it is used during Lent (anticipating the death of Christ). Since it is also a royal color, it is sometimes used during Advent (anticipating the birth of Christ). In many Protestant churches, however, blue has replaced purple for Advent decorations.

Green

Green is one of the most frequently used colors in a church. It symbolizes growth, so it is used for the Epiphany season before Lent, and as the color for Ordinary Time (between Pentecost and Advent). Sometimes churches will use a variation of green, such as olive or aqua, during Ordinary Time.

White and Gold

White represents purity, so it is used for high holy days (such as Christmas and Easter). It is also the color displayed during special celebrations and ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms and funerals. Gold represents precious valuables as well as the presence of God, so it is often an accent for white on these special days in a church.

Red

Red symbolizes fire, and the presence of God, so it is used during Pentecost. Since it is the color of blood, it is sometimes used on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Christ's death) and Maundy Thursday (the day before his death).

Black

Black is a color of mourning, so it will often be draped around the church on Good Friday, the day of Christ's death.

Pink

Pink is a color of happiness and is often used during the third Sunday of Advent. This is the Sunday before Christmas, and is the joyful time of celebrating the coming of Christ.

Source:

CRI/Voice Institute